Plaxico Burress had to be confused. Chad Johnson, who had not done much in the NFL in two years, signed with the Miami Dolphins. Terrell Owens had done even less than Johnson, and the Seattle Seahawks signed Owens last week. And yet training camp started with Burress at home, awaiting an opportunity.
Well, finally, that chance appears to have come – and from the New England Patriots, no less.
According to ESPN, Burress will work out for the Patriots, who, if you’ll recall, have one of the league’s premier quarterbacks in Tom Brady.
Burress played last season with the New York Jets after missing the previous two seasons while severing a two-year prison sentence for shooting himself in the leg at a New York night club, a violation of the state’s gun possession laws.
He had 45 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jets last season – not bad playing for an offensively flawed team.
Still, no one even had him work out as a free agent this offseason – until now.
There was a report in Dallas that the Cowboys had contacted Burress’ representative about a possible workout. However, Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones later said he hasn’t spoken to the agent and was happy with the team’s young receivers.
“We haven’t even discussed that internally at all,” Jerry Jones said. “It’s not been discussed at any level in our organization one way or the other.”
In his 10-year career, Burress has played for three NFL teams – Pittsburgh Steelers, the Giants and Jets. He has 550 career catches for 8,457 yards and 63 touchdowns.
If he lands in New England, Burress could make the Patriots even more formidable. A big, sure-handed target at 6-foot-5 would surely make Brady salivate – all quarterbacks desire as many weapons as possible.
